Few tourists set foot in Boracay

By Jennifer Rendon

 

Less than half of tourists who booked their stay in Boracay Island arrived on the first day of its reopening to residents from areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).

The local government of Malay, Aklan was expecting around 95 tourists but Mayor Frolibar Bautista said he was informed that only 26 arrived as of Thursday afternoon.

“Kaunti lang sya. I’m not sure if may madadagdag pa later (Thursday),” he said.

When asked for the reason for the low turn-out, Bautista cited that tourists still fear that they might contract the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Another reason are the requirements before entering Boracay Island.

Bautista specifically pointed to the presentation of a negative Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) result after undergoing testing not earlier than 48 hours before the date of travel.

“Siguro, hindi nila nahabol na makakuha ng result,” he said.

Only Aklanons are not required to present the negative RT-PCR result.

Even earlier, local government officials have foreseen that the requirements for entering the tourist spot might discourage visitors.

Aside from negative RT-PCR test result, Resolution No. 74 of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) provided several guidelines for the reopening of the island to tourists from areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) or lower.

While there is no age limitation, restriction on persons with comorbidities will be strictly enforced.

The Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Brgy. Caticlan will be the only port of entry for airlines ferrying tourists bound for Boracay Island, with a central point to be established for tourists travelling by land, air, or sea.

Minimum health standards will also be observed.

Bautista is hopeful that the number of tourists will gradually increase in a few days.

”Mas maganda na gradually kasi may mga adjustments pa ‘yan. I’m sure, after a few days, aakyat pa ‘yan,” he said.

The gradual increase in the number of tourists entering the island could give enough time for local authorities to make modifications based on the prevailing situation.

On Wednesday, Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores Jr. also issued Executive Order No. 037, which provided more comprehensive guidelines for tourists.

Aside from a negative RT-PCR test result, a tourist must have a confirmed booking from a DOT-accredited accommodation establishment, as well as online registration for the online Health Declaration Card available in the provincial government’s website.

Negative RT-PCR test results are not required for tourists 7 years old and below.

While Aklanon tourists are not required to present RT-PCR test results, but they must do online registration and present their confirmed booking with a DOT-accredited establishment.

 

GENERALLY PEACEFUL

The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has been preparing for the reopening of the island for tourists outside of Western Visayas.

Several simulation exercises have been done for the purpose.

For the Boracay reopening, over 400 PNP personnel from the Malay Police Station, the 2nd Aklan Mobile Force, the Regional Maritime Unit and EOD-K9 team were deployed in the island for the maintenance of peace and order, security, and implementation of minimum health protocols.

Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, has commended the personnel of Aklan PPO for the generally peaceful and orderly opening of Boracay to domestic tourists.

No major incident was reported to Malay Police Station.

Further, no crimes were reported to have occurred in the beachfronts or the hotel areas, as of this writing.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Pablito, Malay police chief, said “the situation is very manageable.”

To enforce the local ordinances, the Malay local government hired 100 additional beach guards deployed in the beachfront and other areas in the island.

The LGU is also implementing a curfew from 11 pm to 4 am.

“Binawal muna ang mga bars sa gabi,” Pablito said.

Further, the Malay Incident Management team has been activated.

Starting October 1, meetings would be conducted to assess the effectiveness of their deployment.